Vince’s Front of House engineer Hugh Johnson used tons of Shure on stage in addition to what the Ryman already had.  I’ve included a shot of his input list below.  I can’t remember the last time I saw 7 KSM9′s used up front for vocals!

Some of Vince’s guests included Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, John Anderson, Beka Bramlett, and an incredible swing drummer named Duffy Jackson (look him up when you get a moment).  The Time Jumpers served as the back up band for the evening.

This was Vince’s 3rd benefit this week and he had 3 more to do before the end of the week.  He always loves giving back. More than that,  he just loves playing. It shows!

I arrived just in time for Mumford’s soundcheck.  The group is singing on SM58′s and using a host of other Shure mics around the stage. I met the crew for the first time and then started setting up for a video interview.  After their soundcheck, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane came by and knocked out the interview, which went very well.

After a short dinner, I returned and was hanging around backstage when who shows up… Jerry Douglas.  Jerry came to perform with his friends Mumford & Sons.  I also said a quick hello to Dawes right before they went on stage. Drummer Griffin Goldsmith commented that Shure has been very big help to their career so far.  Once they too the stage, I was immediately drawn in to his playing (me being a drummer) as well as his brother and lead singer Taylor’s voice.  This group gave a great performance, full of emotion, animated, and well executed.  On the last number, Mumford & Sons joined them on stage to finish out a great set.

The sold out crowd was ready when the headliners came out.  This being my first time seeing them, I was wondering how this group could fill out their 2 hour set, especially with only one record out.  This show ended up being a lot more exciting than I had envisioned.  Marcus Mumford’s voice grabs your ears and does not let go.  Then the rest of the groups harmonies complete their sound.  They played their hits as well as a few of their new, yet to be released songs. The light show was brilliant, adding to the excitement of the music and making it that much more of a show.This show is ready for arenas but I have a feeling that they love playing to these intimate crowds, especially at the historic Ryman Auditorium for the first time.

At the end of their set, Jerry Douglas joined them on stage for a couple songs, including a great version of “The Boxer” by Simon & Garfunkel.  For one of the final numbers, Dawes also came out and they all went to the front of the stage and performed Bob Dylan’s  “Hey, Momma Rock Me” acoustically.  The entire Ryman audience sang along.  Musicians traded solos. It was quite a party!   Google it and I’m certain someone will have posted a video.

Go see these groups if you have the opportunity.  It was a fantastic show all around.

Ryan

This would be a historic event in itself as the group would be the first headliner to perform on a brand new floor that replaced the original floor that was installed when the “Mother Church” first opened.

Fresh off of an exciting performance with Glen Campbell at the Grammy Awards, they showed up for soundcheck and Kimberely said to me “We see you everywhere!”  They will again at the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards in Vegas on April 1.

Before laying down this new floor, they reinforced it to be able to hold a lot more weight.  It was strange to walk across the floor and not hear any creaking.

The group is in the process of finishing up a new record and what a great place to try out some new songs.  They performed their hits and threw in 6 new songs.  They also performed a great version of “Fat Bottomed Girls” by Queen!   Kimberly commanded the stage on her UR2/KSM9 wireless while brothers Reid and Neil flanked her with a pair of Beta 58A wired mics.

At one point, the curtain closed in front of the backing band, leaving the Perry’s out in front for some acoustic songs, one of which was a beautiful version of “Amazing Graze” which earned them a standing ovation.

Their 90 minute set concluded with their hit “You Lie.”  This group is full of energy and connects very well with the audience.  Their whole family and crew are a great group of people.

Make  sure to look up their tour schedule and catch them out on some Brad Paisley dates.

Ryan

Nashville, TN – The Ryman Auditorium

There is such a wonderful feeling when you know you are watching something special.  Whether it’s a great movie,  football games when everyone player giving 150 % (I’m talking Walter Payton 150 %), or a music group that draws you in.

Part of my role in Artist Relations involves seeking out artists that have the ability to influence other artists and people in many ways, but namely musically.  After all, that is where it should start, right?  You know from my past blogs about The Civil Wars and also from word of mouth (if you are now following them) that they are one of those artists.

How is it possible that 2 singers/ instrumentalists can grab an entire audience and keep them as quite as a sleeping child during each song?  You just have to go see it for yourself.  They have so much fun, sing and play so well, that you have absolutely no choice but to be quite and enjoy every second.  Backstage before the show, I was talking with singer/songwriter/guitarist John Paul White who said he has been looking forward to this show for such a long time and that’s what I told him to do – “enjoy every second.”

After the first 2 songs, singer/songwriter/pianist Joy commented to the audience that she probably should not have worn too much black mascara and John Paul said “me either” which was just one of many funny comments during and evening filled with laughter and great music.  Both Joy and John Paul were very emotional about this show and toasted the audience several times for making their first show at the historic Ryman Auditorium a sell out.  It has been their dream to play here. When they initially got together as a team, neither imagined that it would lead to this moment.

Here they are though. Their singles and the albums have captured so much attention. Their live performances have gathered acclaim from many of their peers, including 2011′s Top selling artist Adele. Before Adele though, right here in Nashville, was where they captured the attention of a younger artist.

Towards the end of the evening, John Paul started mentioned how the group likes to give back to the community and help out “less fortunate” artists.  He went on to say that they found an artist that they thought could benefit from an appearance with them but that she was a bit “shy.”  John Paul and Joy motioned for her to come out on stage.  Seconds later, Taylor Swift strolls on stage and sings  a song with the group called “Safe & Sound“.  This beautiful song is included on the upcoming release of The Hunger Games soundtrack.  (I just finished this great book myself and am looking forward to starting the second book)

Taylor became a fan of the group when they performed at The Belcourt Theatre.  She tweeted about them and this certainly helped their cause of trying to expand their fan base.  Thanks Taylor!

I also got the chance to meet with the groups’ videographer Allister Ann.  Allister has been capturing video and photos on the road for a while now and does some amazing work.  She took the time to interview the group for us.  You can watch that video here.

Many of their family members were in attendance for the show.  John Paul jokingly commented that “My whole family tree is here and y’all are probably part of it since we are here in the South.”

Both Joy and John Paul sound crystal clear through the KSM9 and there’s aKSM313 ribbon mic/SM57 combo on his guitar amp.

Look up their schedule online and if they are not coming to a town near you, MOVE!  Seriously, it is worth a road trip to see their live show…it IS something special.

Ryan

Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN

I have been eager to see this group come back together again after many solo projects and tours. Each member individually has their own sound but when they are all together, it’s a magic unto its own.

Shure has enjoyed a wonderful, longstanding relationship with Alison Krauss and Union Station and we couldn’t wait to hear new material from this award winning group, both studio and live! This show was the 2nd night of their 2 sold out shows at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. Particularly exciting was the fact that before they took the stage, yours truly would be spending about 15 minutes with them backstage for a video interview. For them, they have done this many times. For me interviewing them, my first! Since we have had such a great relationship with all of them, I was not too nervous about doing this. We will be editing this interview soon and will send out the word once it’s up for viewing. (It was a 3 camera shoot so it may take a bit longer.)

As I had suspected, the interview went great! I previewed other interviews and tried not to cover the same material they have been asked but still included a few Shure questions towards the end as usual.

With that completed, I could now relax and enjoy the show to come. Alison and company are all signing on Beta 58A’s and Alison has the KSM9 for her Fiddle mic (yes, a vocal mic on the fiddle). Ron Block has the KSM13 on his Banjo which sounds amazing. All are using the PSM900 for monitors which they love.

The show lasted 2 hours and was full of the hits plus plenty of the new material. It had been several years since they had performed together so the crowd was ready for it. Jerry Douglas took some time during the set for a solo which was stunning and included a short version of Chick Corea’s “Spain”, which I thought was incredibly cool!

Their tour continues for a while and hopefully well into next year. Make sure you get your tickets early as they are selling out everywhere. A special thanks to Allison, Dan, Ron, Barry, and Jerry for being such wonderful hosts. Also, thanks to FOH Engineer Cliff Miller, Bernie Velutti on Monitors, Sean Murray (Production Manager) and Michael Corcoran (Management) for helping to make this such a smooth, enjoyable evening!

Ryan

Nashville, TN – The Ryman Auditorium

OK, so what do I mean by reunion?

About 14 years ago, a good friend and contact at A & M records – Al Marks – called me up and told me I  had to come out and meet the new artist he was working with.  I was still working up in Chicago then and this new artist was only 15 years old.  Jonny Lang had just started touring in support of his first major release, Lie To Me, and Al was hoping Shure would start working with him.

Sometimes, choosing to work with an artist can be really easy, especially when they have as much talent as Jonny has.  After seeing him, it was clear that we had to. A few years later though , after a few management changes, Al was not working with Jonny.

So we fast forward to this wonderful Saturday, when for the first time in 11 years, it’s Al, Jonny, and Shure all in the same room – together again.  It was a great thing to see.

I spoke with Jonny right before his soundcheck at the historic Ryman Auditorium and he started to mention how much he liked his champagne KSM9 wired vocal mic,  stating that it was like “not knowing I needed glasses and then getting them.”   He loves the clarity and openness of the mic, whether it’s singing out strongly on the heavier tunes or holding back on the ballads, or a combination of both.

FOH engineer, Mike Ronkainen, also commented on how well the KSM313 is working on one of Jonny’s guitar amp. Mike also uses the KSM32 on his second amp. I was able to grab a quick shot of Mike at FOH trying out the new SRH840 headphones and he gave them a thumbs up!  He also said he likes to monitor using Shure earphones.

I hung around and ate dinner with Mike and Al to get caught up on things.  As I was watching the show, a lady came up to me and asked if I worked on the crew.  I informed her that I worked for the microphone company that provided Jonny’s mics.  She said “That must be a cool job.” I agreed with her. She went on to say that Jonny was such a great performer and she had never seen that much emotion coming off the stage.  I agreed with her a second time.

If you have not seen Jonny Lang live yet, please check his tour schedule and make it a point to.  He is truly a talented singer/songwriter/guitarist.  I have always enjoyed his shows and apparently, so does Vince Gill who was in attendance that evening.

On several songs, Jonny would break it down and vamp for a while while some of the other band members would solo.  During the encore, he gave them all a chance to shine.

The Ryman was 99% sold out.  What more can I say to convince you?

Ryan